Statue bid for Norwich City legend Justin Fashanu gains pace

As well as being a Canaries' great on the pitch, Fashanu was a trailblazer as the first professional footballer to come out as gay and the first black player to be sold for £1m.

The statue, which Proud Canaries hope to raise £150,000 to fund, would stand on the banks of the River Wensum and depict the former City number nine celebrating his 1980 goal of the season against Liverpool.

Despite the fundraiser launching just yesterday, many have already thrown their support behind it, including Match of the Day presenter and England legend, Gary Lineker.

The Justin Fashanu statue campaign is a great initiative. Commemorating Britain’s first openly gay professional footballer and shining a light on the ongoing battle for LGBTQ+ representation, in football. Watch the campaign video to learn more: #JFSC

https://t.co/Yuov4znNgP

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 7, 2022

Lineker appears to have donated almost £1,000 to the campaign which has already raised more than £2,000, with Stephen Fry and Stonewall co-founder Michael Cashman both joining him in backing the bust.

I’m supporting the Justin Fashanu statue campaign, to commemorate Britain’s first openly gay professional footballer and to shine a light on the ongoing long battle for LGBTQ+ representation. Watch the campaign video, or find out more and donate here: #JFSC

— Michael Cashman 🇺🇦🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🇮🇪🇪🇺🇬🇧 (@mcashmanCBE) December 7, 2022

Rob Sanderson, 34, who is part of the team planning the tribute, said it would also feature an accompanying memorial garden and be about "more than football".

He said: "We don't just want a statue, we want this to be a place of reflection for people. 

"This is incredibly important, the bravery he showed in the face of adversity was huge and still is at a time when England have been unable to guarantee gay supporters will be safe at the Qatar World Cup."

In a message urging people to support the campaign, Fry said Fashanu's statue would be "for everyone".

He said: "Like other black players of the time, Justin suffered racism on the terraces. But he was something even more taboo, a gay man.

"Justin's legacy is more than just a great footballer who shone bright but burned down too soon.

"He had the courage to break a glass ceiling that no one had broken before.

"It's time, Justin's statue will be for all of us and we would be honoured if you would donate any sum large or small to make it happen."

Those wishing to donate to the fundraiser can do so at www.justinstatue.com.